Afternoon shooting leaves victim critical

STOCKTON - A man was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries Thursday following an afternoon shootout in central Stockton, authorities said.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - A man was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries Thursday following an afternoon shootout in central Stockton, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 4:50 p.m. in the 1000 block of East Lindsay Street, just west of North Union Street and east of the railroad tracks. The victim, a man in his 20s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the chest, police said. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Witnesses said they heard several gunshots. A man who was working at a business on East Lindsay Street said gunfire is not uncommon in the area.

"Unfortunately, we hear lots of gunshots around here," Ken Mero said. "So it's not surprising, but it's not usually this close."

A woman who spoke on condition of anonymity because she feared for her safety said the victim exchanged gunfire with his assailants, firing shots at a newer-model, charcoal gray truck as it left the area.

"I saw him shooting at the truck, and then I heard him say, 'They shot me,' " the woman said. "He was yelling for help."